(19)

(11)

EP 1 058 869 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 13.12.2000 Bulletin 2000/50 (21) Application number: 98908895.0 (22) Date of filing: 05.03.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G05D 21/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US9804/156 (87) International publication number: WO 9945/448 (10.09.1999 Gazette 1999/36)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS, INC. Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 (US)	(72) Inventors: STURGEON, Douglas, H. San Mateo, CA 94401 (US) SZIKLAI, Anthony, T. Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 (US) (74) Representative: Ebner von Eschenbach, Jennifer et al c/o Ladas & Parry,Dachauerstrasse 37 80335 München 80335 München (DE)